Who Is It For?

FASB and Standard Setting Process Flashcards Preview

What is the purpose of Financial Accounting and Reporting?

To provide relevant information to investors and creditors for the purpose of making informed resource allocation decisions (to invest in a firm, etc.)

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What are financial statements?

Culmination of the accounting process and represent the most comprehensive financial information disclosures made by firms. The footnotes and other textuals and tabular information provide supplementary information and help to explain the amounts disclosed in those statements.

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What is GAAP?

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The rules of financial reporting for business standards. Also called accounting standards.

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What 3 aspects of financial reporting does GAAP address?

1.) Recognition - an item is recorded in an account and ultimately affects the financials2.) Measurement - Concerns the dollar amount of an item3.) Disclosure - Many unrecognized items are recorded in the footnotes and must be disclosed to complete the portrayal of the firm's financial position.

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What Organizations are involved in Developing Accounting Standards?

1.) The FASB2.) The SEC3.) The AICPA4.) The Private Company Council

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What is the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)?

It is currently the standard-setting body in the United States. It is a private sector body.

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What is the mission of the FASB?

1.) Improve the usefulness of financial reporting2.) Maintain current accounting standards3.) Promptly address deficiencies in accounting standards4.) Promote international convergence of accounting standards5.) Improve the common understanding of the nature and purposes of information in financial reports

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How many members does the FASB have?

7 full-time members with renewable and staggered 5 year terms

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What are the 3 parts of the current accounting standard-setting mechanism in the U.S.?

What is the FAF (Financial Accounting Foundation)?

Appoints members of the FASB and its advisory councils, ensures adequate funding for the FASB, and exercises oversigh over the FASB. Funding sources include fees levied on publicly traded firms under SOX, contributions and publication sales.

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What is the SEC (Securities and Exchange commission)?

Federal government agency that administers the securities laws of the U.S. These laws affect firms that issue debt and equity to the public. SUch firms register with the SEC and are called "registrants." The financial statements of these firms must be filed with the SEC and must be audited by independent third parties (CPA firms).

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What authority does the SEC have?

Congress granted the SEC power to establish GAAP for the firms it governs. It has generally ceded this authority to a private sector body (FASB). The FASB considers the potential reaction of the SEC in its proposed standards.

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What is the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants).

National professional organization for practicing CPAs. The mission of the AICPA is to provide its members with resources, information and leadership so that they can perform valuable services for their clients. All past standard setting bodies were created by the AICPA.

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What principles does the FASB apply when promulgating GAAP?

1.) Accounting standards must be unbiased and not favor any particular industry, standards are for the benefit of financial statement users.2.) The needs and views of the economic community should be considers, the views of the accounting profession should not take precendence3.) The process should be open to the public and allow due process to provide opportunity for interested parties to make their views known.4.) The benefits of accounting standards should exceed their cost.

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What process does the FASB use when issuing an accounting standard?

1.) Considers whether to add the project to their agenda.2.) Conducts research on the topic and issues a discussion memo.3.) Holds public hearings on the topic4.) Evaluates research and comments from interest parties and issues an exposure raft5.) Solicits additional comments, modifies the exposure draft as needed.6.) Finalize the new accounting guidance and approves with a majority vote (4 of 7 affirmative votes).7.) Issues an Accounting Standards Update (ASU).

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Which standard setting bodies have enforcement authority?

The SEC has the authority to penalize firms and managers when financial statements do not comply. FASB has no enforcement authority. Rather, there are economic sanctions for firms not complying with GAAP (i.e. not being able to raise debt and equity capital).

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What is the purpose of Financial Accounting?

To provide information to Investors and Creditors

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What is the primary protection for investors against fraudulent financing reporting by corporations?

The requirement that financial statements be audtired

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What does "Negative economic consequences" mean in reference to a proposed accounting standard?